Sigh. I’ve turned into a walking cliche. The week before my race I was convinced my foot was injured, and this week I’ve succumbed to the post-race blues. But I managed to carry on, more or less. Thanks as always to Kim and Deborah for hosting the Weekly Rundown! Let’s get started…
Sunday
I woke up the day after the race with sore quads and sore ankles. I had twisted the right one pretty badly so I knew that would be sore, but my left ankle was sore as well. I’m not sure if I twisted it and just didn’t remember, or if it was just sore from the uneven terrain. I thought about doing a recovery walk, but never got past the thinking stage. I spent my time eating and relaxing- it was a really nice day.
Monday
Okay, now I definitely need a recovery walk. But when I started walking I realized how sore my ankles really were. And it wasn’t just around the ankles, but all the way up the outside of both shins (the peroneal muscles.). I walked for half an hour, but couldn’t work up much speed. It was a moderate stroll!
Then, when I got to work, my very first client of the day brought me these:
She didn’t even know I ran a race! She was just bringing them because I’m on my feet all day and she thought they would feel good. What are the odds of THAT??? I put them on right away and wore them all day.
Tuesday
Another walk in the morning, and the ankles are starting to feel better. My normal routine is to go to the gym after work on Tuesdays but on this day I went to Starbucks instead. I sat outside and sipped an oatmilk latte. Life is good!
Wednesday
Hmmm. It feels good to have a day off and have nothing to do. Or does it? My race recaps are written (Part 1 and Part 2), I’ve unpacked all my gear and put everything away… it’s really over. Sob! Life has no meaning.
As my husband says, “Whenever I’m feeling down, I know I’m a good candidate for the gym.” Yes! Off to the gym! I did my usual upper body workout- there was no need to modify anything, and it felt good.
After that I had several errands, including going to the library to pick up my holds:
I’m so excited! Must finish the book I’m reading so I can dive into this ASAP.
Thursday
A 2 mile run! It felt… meh. My ankles felt almost normal, but I was happy to stop at 2 miles.
Friday
I heard on a podcast that dead bugs are better for runners than sit ups. I can’t remember why, but okay! I did this Caroline Girvan Advent Series workout, Dumbbell Deadbug Abs. It was only 12 minutes, but I didn’t know what else to do. I didn’t want to run again, or do lower body strength… I’m so confused.
Saturday
3 mile run! I meant to do it before work, but I stayed up way too late Friday night reading my book (oops) so I ended up doing it after work, and it was 90 degrees. Other than that, it felt pretty good.
Sunday
On tap for today…. oh, I don’t know! I’m still confused- I’ll be happy to get back to a more regular schedule. I want to start focusing more on lower body strength and some speed work, but I think it might be a little too soon. Next week!
Do you ever feel down after a race, or do you enjoy recovery weeks?
Do you wear compression socks for recovery? – I normally have an aversion to anything tight pressing against me (you may have noticed a theme- shoes, shirts…) so I wouldn’t normally wear them. But on Monday they felt good!
53 Responses
I love recovery weeks, LOL. It just feels good to do other things and laze around after a big training cycle.
I haven’t used compression socks, but my husband is wearing them after his 30km run this morning.
I’ve done my share of lazing around, which I do enjoy. I just get depressed when it goes on too long.
Congrats to your husband- was it a race or a training run?
Just a training run. He’s going for a marathon PB start of July.
Awww. What a sweet gesture by your client.
I’m sure you’ll get your groove back quickly, but the letdown phase is HARD after any momentous occasion (I know you feel the same way post-Christmas as I do). I wish I had great suggestions to ease the transition, but I hope/suspect you’re through the worst of it and will get back into a rhythm soon.
Yes, it’s actually similar to a post-Christmas letdown. It just takes time. Time, and signing up for more races!
Yes. I do get depressed after a race. What I do is sign up for another. Hint hint.
I’m a fan of compression during a run or race. The only problem is when it’s hot like in Fla.
I don’t think I could wear them during a race- I would be way too hot. And yes- I have some races in mind! I almost signed up for another ultra in July- it would be another hot, sandy race- but then luckily realized I would be out of my mind to do that. But I have some shorter races planned, and possibly a long one for the fall!
Recovery is hard! I didn’t run as far as you, but I did recovery this week as well. I was so beat up from that race, so my body forced me to take some downtime. I was amazed and overwhelmed by all the free time I had lol! This week should be better for both of us.
No post-race blues, tho. I’ve still got a couple of races coming up!
Yes, I guess that’s a way to avoid the post-race blues- have another one coming right up. I’m still looking forward to your race recap!
I know the post-race blues! I’ve experienced them after some of my marathons. It feels so weird to have that goal race over & done, almost surreal. When you’ve invested so much blood, sweat & tears (and time) training, there’s definitely an “emptiness” afterwards.
Yes, surreal is a good word. It’s like when I was training I didn’t even envision time AFTER the race. What? The calendar goes past April 22? I wasn’t prepared for that!
I often have those same feelings after a big race or even an event. We pour our heart and soles into training for something and expending lots of physical and mental energy on it and then it’s over. Good job on your recovery!
Thank you Deborah! I guess a post-race letdown is unavoidable.
I loved, loved, loved Des Linden’s book! I read it end-to-end on one of my flight days and it enthralled me. I’ve never run such a lengthy race, but I can only imagine that not knowing what to do must be par for the course – you were doing all the things (miles! recovery! fueling!) for so long… the post-race blues show it meant something.
Yes, I just started the book last night and am excited to read the whole thing (I wish I could read it in one sitting like you did!)
I used to wear compression socks during races and after, but now they just sit in my drawer.
I am sure the trail race took a toll on all those little muscles in your legs you rarely use (except in your training runs). The variable terrain and all that sand are such unstable surfaces. I am betting another easy week will do the trick. 😉
Yes, the trail took a toll on those muscles, even more than I thought it would. I think I’ll be feeling better this week.
The better the race the worse the post race blues are. It’s just another shot of all of the taper drama that you went through all over again and it will pass.
Des’s book is the perfect post race treat. I bet that she had a huge case of the sads after Boston 2018.
Yes, you’re probably right! I wonder how Des felt after that race.
I love recovery weeks! I would often feel guilty taking test days when I was training for a race so I would enjoy rest days completely guilt free after a race! Plus I usually trained for fall races so by the time they were over we were entering the off season for running – at least for me as I have never been hardcore enough to run a lot during our super cold winters. But I would immediately start thinking about what I would train for next and that helped offset the blues!
That was so sweet of your client to bring you compression socks!!
I know, Lisa- I have some REALLY nice clients.
I’m definitely thinking about future races- it helps.
I wear compression socks often because I have really bad varicose veins. I had them stripped in 2011, but then I had new ones come in, which is highly unusual. I just have bad circulation. If I’m flying or even on long road trips, I have to wear them. While running, I wear calf sleeves. I can’t wear just regular ones either, they have to be REALLY strong! In Canada these require a prescription but I buy them online from a US company.
Sorry you’re in the post-race blues, although I’m not surprised – you’ve been building up to the race for months! I hope you start to feel a bit better this week.
Yes, I think this coming week I’ll be feeling back to normal, mentally and physically.
I had to wear really strong compression socks when I was pregnant with my daughter. My lower legs were really swollen, and now my left leg look awful- not exactly veiny, but it looks like there are bruises all over the back of my leg. Wearing compressions socks more often would probably be good for me.
I used to wear compression socks more- I may need to bring them back out! I can relate to the post-race and post-training blues!! But I often also get excited to just run whatever I want and not be tied down to a specific mileage or workout. Hope your body feels 100% soon!
Thank you Melissa! It is nice to be more casual about running, for a while.
My left leg is rebuilt (three plates and a lot of screws) and I have some Sock Guy compression socks that I wear when I have to sit or stand a lot. It really does help me, but I imagine that every body is different and would react differently. When I first got my cast/boot off, I wore compression socks very regularly and I’m relieved I am able to get away without them most of the time.
I hope the post-race blues go away soon and you can get back into a regular rhythm again. AND! Maybe start planning your next race?
I’ve definitely been thinking about future races! And I can see how compression socks would help you tremendously, especially in the early days after your injury.
I think it’s always hard to know what to do with myself after a big race which often leads me to register for something else lol. Do you have another race on tap? Hope you’re back to feeling more like yourself soon.
Well, I was lurking on Ultra signup this week! I have some other races in mind.
Post race blahs are the worst. At least that week is over now, yay!! I’m surprised you ran this week – which I guess is a good thing if you aren’t feeling too sore. You were well prepared! But those ankles? Maybe because you were running on sand? Did you take your medal to work and hang it up? 🙂 I always do that because where else are you going to be able to show it off! I don’t get a lot of questions about it from my co workers, but I keep hoping they will. LOL
What’s your next race/goal?
I don’t have a place to hang the medal at work, unfortunately. Funny story about that medal though- remember it’s actually a cup. I was wearing it post-race and we decided to stop at Starbucks on the way home. I went in, forgetting I was still wearing the medal… which is actually a cup? I’m sure i looked really strange.
Aaaah! The perfect gift at the perfect time. I love when the universe smiles like that! I’m probably in the minority but I enjoy recovery time and never get post-race blues. Just put something else on the calendar to train for and look forward to. BUT remember your body is fragile after the race so do give it time to refresh and restore before pushing it hard again.
Yes, getting something else on the calendar will help- I have a couple things in mind. Not too soon, though!
Compression socks for the win!
And dead bugs > sit ups any day!
I’ve been doing my dead bugs every day! They are good.
it’s common to feel a bit down after a big race, a combination of having to recover and lack of plan/schedule to follow. I usually take 2 weeks off after marathon but do a lot of walks just to get outdoor. it’s really challenging to not-run but I guess I need to trust the process and recover properly.
Yes, it is challenging! I’m back on a plan this week-a little running and more trips to the gym. It’s nice to feel a little more normal.
I’m glad you’ve taken some time to rest. And I can imagine there’s a certain fatigue both mentally and physically after an ultra race. Going to the gym sounds like a good fix for the mental part of it. Perhaps make some new race plans to get your motivation back up? And yes, dead bugs again… I need to start doing them because EVERYONE recommends them.
I love how your client brought you compression socks!
I’m definitely making some new race plans, and getting back to the gym on a regular basis will be nice!
Recovery weeks really can be hard! I remember mostly it’s that feeling of “what am I supposed to do now???” I usually spent a lot of time just walking, as I normally also had something going on with my feet or calves. Seems like you got through it pretty ok though 🙂
Yes, that’s exactly the feeling I had. And I did a lot of walking… that definitely helped.
I’ve been thinking about you! So glad that your ankles are on the mend.
It would be SO hard to transition from daily preparation for this race to… not doing that. Is the only cure to start training for another race? I hope this week goes more smoothly.
I think training for another race is one of the best cures- and I have some things in mind!
I love that your client bought you a pair of socks, especially Bombas – I love how charitable they are!
Recovery weeks, although they sound easy, can be so hard! I think it’s definitely hard on you mentally because your body feels like it should be doing something since it’s so used to training.
Yes, Bombas is a great company. And, I’m happy to be starting a new week where I’ll feel more normal!
Hooray Des, look forward to what you think of the book. And I love compression socks even though I hate anything tight around my calves normally! I forgot I had them as I haven’t done anything that warrants using them since July 2019!! Hope the ankles and the mind continue to feel more on an even keel as the week progresses.
Thank you Liz! I’m definitely feeling better this week- and I’m almost done with the book! So good.
Recovery weeks are hard. They kind of leave us feeling unmoored.
Is it weird that I like dead bugs? They hurt after the fact, but I really like them.
I’m liking dead bugs too! I’m glad they hurt after the fact because that way I feel like they’re doing something.
I do wear calf compression sleeves after a long run/race. And I wear the compression socks (open toe) at night to help with my PF.
I need to do deadbugs…or anything. With my feet hurting so much I have been stupid-lazy lol
Hmm! Compression socks help your PF? I don’t know if I would be comfortable waring them at night, but I am looking for ways to help mine. I’m hoping you don’t have it in both feet- because that would be terrible.
I, too, wear compression socks. All the time. Mine are for an as-yet-undiagnosed chronic condition I have that leads to lower limb edema. Fun! Or… not. But I do buy fun compression socks – why be boring? – and realize that it’s better to have compression & good venous return vs. the alternative.
I no longer run, but completely agree that hitting BIG milestones almost always comes with a post-milestone case of the blahs. Hope you’re back to yourself!
When I was pregnant the second time I had a huge problem with edema. I didn’t want to wear compression socks- this was before there were all these fun options, I had to get mine from a medical supply store- but as soon as I put them on, it was life-changing. I could stand comfortably again! So yes- if you need them, it’s totally life-changing.